Robert Awalt played football for SCC's conference championship teams in 1983 and 1984, seasons in which the Panthers won 2 bowl games as well. Awalt moved on the San Diego State University where he was an all-American tight end for the WAC championship team that won the Holiday Bowl. In 1987, Robert was the first tight end selected in the NFL draft. After his rookie season with the St. Louis Cardinals, Awalt was named the offensive Rookie of the Year. He was a second team all-pro selection that season as well as in 1988. He eventually played for the Dallas Cowboys and the Buffalo Bills as well and started 55 consecutive games. He played in Super Bowls XXVII and XXVIII.

Darlene Smartt Azimi was a three-sport star for SCC from 1977 to 1979. She was named the MVP for the volleyball, basketball, and softball teams during her years at SCC. Azimi became an outside hitter for the CSUS volleyball team for two seasons. After her senior season, Azimi was named to the all-American team.

Rena Barsanti was a student-athlete at SCC before that term was used to describe women. She was the president of SCC's WAA in 1947. After transferring to Sacramento State and earning her BS in Physical Education, she embarked on a long and successful coaching and teaching career. Barsanti established the intercollegiate athletic program at the University of Oregon in 1959 and then returned to SCC in 1961. She helped usher in the new era in women's intercollegiate athletics at SCC and was a successful softball and volleyball coach into the 1980s. She was inducted into the Softball Hall of Fame as a player in 1970 and as a coach in 1995. She was inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame as a coach in 1996. As an athlete, Barsanti excelled most as a bowler. She won 3 California Women's Bowling Association tournament championships and won the 1973 State Queen Tournament title. Barsanti was inducted into the California Women's Hall of Fame for her success in and contributions to bowling.

Henry Hines set the national junior college record of 26'2 3/4" in the long jump in 1969.  He was the state champion in the event as well, leading the Panthers to the state runner-up position.  In 1971, Hines, who competed for the University of Southern California, had the longest long jump in the world and was the NCAA indoor national champion.  He repeated the championship in 1972 and was the national runner-up at the 1972 NCAA outdoor national championship meet. He was the national professional champion for three years and retired as the eighth best long jumper of all time.

Spider Jorgenson played baseball for then SJC in 1939 and 1941. After his sophomore season, Jorgenson signed a minor league contract. He led the California League in hitting and eventually made it to the major leagues, the first former Panther to do so. In his rookie year of 1946, Jorgenson was the starting third baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers, playing in the infield with a second baseman named Jackie Robinson, who broke the "color barrier" in major league baseball. In 1947 and 1949 Jorgenson played in the World Series, the first of 4 former Panthers to do so (Larry Bowa, Jeff Blauser and Greg Vaughn are the others). After finishing his playing career, Jorgenson was a minor league manager before spending a quarter century as a scout. In 1995 Spider was named the West Coast Scout of the Year.

Three great hurlders Dell Fishback, Tom Moore, and Johnny Wood

Tom Moore is the first former Panther to set a world record. While competing for the University of California in 1935, Moore timed 14.2 for the 120 yard high hurdles at the West Coast Relays, tieing the world record at that time. Along with former Panther teammate and fellow SCC Hall of Fame member Jack Mauger, Tom represented the United States in a tour of Europe in 1935. He later became a long time track official.

Lou Nova came to then SJC in 1933 to throw the javelin and put the shot for L.D. Weldon's track team. He also played football for Hack Applequist, where his teammates included Jack Parker (Olympic decathlete in 1936) and Perry Schwartz (NFL all-pro). Nova was also introduced to boxing by Weldon, and Lou was SJC heavyweight champion. Nova became the national and world amateur heavyweight champion in 1935. As a professional, Nova defeated former champion Max Baer twice before he was defeated by Joe Louis in 1941 (see photo above). Nova went on to international acclaim as an entertainer. The photo is provided courtesy of Marie Cox, the former Mrs. Lou Nova.

Roger "Jack" Parker

Jack Parker In 1936 Jack Parker became the first and only person to earn an Olympic medal while representing Sacramento Junior College. At the conclusion of his sophomore season of track and field for SJC, Coach LD Weldon drove Jack to Milwaukee to compete in the Olympic Trials for the decathlon. He placed third and traveled to Berlin as a member of the U.S. team. He won the bronze medal.

The greatest all-around athlete in SCC history, George Stanich lettered in baseball, basketball, and track and field during the 1946-47 school year. He was the leading scorer for the basketball team, the top pitcher on the baseball team, and the top high jumper in the state, while also competing in the hurdles. George became the first of John Wooden's all-Americans at UCLA, a bronze medalist in the high jump at the 1948 Olympic Games in London, and a professional baseball pitcher in the Pacific Coast League. George was a successful basketball coach and P.E. teacher at El Camino College in Southern California.

The 1946 Panthers were known as the Race Horse Boys and the Roller Skate Kids due to their high speed style of play. The 5 players pictured below played the vast majority of the minutes and recorded a record of 32-3 and were league, state and national champions. The Panthers won their games by an average of 21.9 ppg and set a school and area record by winning 27 consecutive games. John Stanich (the leading scorer) and Bob Linck were named co-Outstanding player at the Western States/National tournament. Linck, Doug Sale, and Eldon Bennett were WWII veterans, and Wayne Boulding played during the season as a member of the Coast Guard reserve. The team was coached by Ned Kay, the winningest basketball coach in SCC history.

The Race Horse Boys John Stanich, Doug Sale, Eldon Bennett, Wayne Boulding, Bob Linck